HALE KIPA PARTNERS ON STREET YOUTH STUDY

Two leading organizations serving street youth at Youth Outreach (YO!), Hale Kipa and Waikiki Health, in collaboration with the UH Center on the Family, on Feb. 9, 2018, released the first comprehensive research study of its kind since the 1980s on homeless and runaway youth in Hawaii. The study offers a detailed snapshot of homeless and unaccompanied youth on Oahu, allowing for a more current and relative understanding of this population’s experiences and service needs.

Oahu’s population of homeless youth is a serious and complex problem, with research showing youth aged 12-17 are at a higher risk than adults of becoming homeless. Additionally, youth between the ages of 18 -24 are one of the fastest growing homeless populations in our state. Homeless youth often do not receive adequate social services, may not meet shelter admission policies due to age, availability of bed space for youth, and some services may not be a good fit for the needs of this transitioning population.

Surveys for the STREET YOUTH STUDY were completed between July and October 2016, with 151 young people age 12-24 who were homeless or had run away from their homes. Nearly a quarter were between the ages of 12-17, with 76% between the ages of 18-24. The full report and additional findings can be found at the UH Center on the Family: http://uhfamily.hawaii.edu/publications/list.aspx

Since 1989, Hale Kipa and Waikiki Health have been providing services to the homeless, runaway and street-identified youth and young adults on Oahu through the Youth Outreach (YO!) program. YO! provides street outreach, drop-in services, case management, and medical services to youth on a referral or walk-in basis. Each year, YO! serves hundreds of runaway, homeless, and street-identified youth and young adults up to the age of 22.